Sung Back shoots 69 to stay one stroke
off the lead going into the final round

Jekyll Island, Ga. - Tommy Suri of Miami, fired
a four-under-par 68 on Saturday to take a one-stroke
lead over Sung Back of Rossville, Ga., at the AJGA Preseason
Junior at Jekyll Island.

The 36-hole stroke play tournament, conducted by
the American Junior Golf Association, is being held
on the par-72 Oleander Course at Jekyll Island Resort.

Suri, a 16-year-old sophomore at Columbus High
School in Miami, recorded five birdies on his way to
grabbing the first-round lead.

"I played a solid round and only hit one bad
shot today," said Suri. "I am happy to have
the opportunity to compete in this event. Tomorrow,
I want to play smart, finish strong and see what happens."

Back, a 17-year-old sophomore at Lakeview High
School, used five birdies to record his three-under-par
69. By breaking par, Suri and Back both accomplished
something only one player did at last year's Jekyll
Island event.

"I have practiced hard all winter and thought
I would compete well today," said Back. "This
event is the first step in reaching my goal of playing
a national caliber schedule this year."

Matt Lawson of Peachtree City, Ga., and Drake Bailey
of Hollywood, Ala., are tied for third with even-par
72's, while Brian Harman of Savannah, Ga., and Colin
Floyd of Loris, S.C., are tied for fifth with 73's.

The Jekyll Island event is the first of three Preseason
Junior Series events conducted by the AJGA in 2001.
The tournaments are aimed specifically at players who
have tried, but have been unsuccessful in gaining entry
into an AJGA tournament in the past. The AJGA has developed
this series as an avenue for more members to earn playing
opportunities at the national level and gain exposure
for college golf scholarships.

The winner of this event will be automatically
accepted into three AJGA events, the top five finishers
and ties will be accepted into two AJGA events, while
the top 15 finishers and ties will be accepted into
one AJGA tournament.

Final-round tee times will run from 7:30 a.m. to
9:27 a.m. off the No. 1 and 10 tees on Sunday.

The American Junior Golf Foundation is the primary recipient of all charitable giving to the AJGA and as such administers a variety of programs designed to compliment the AJGA and the members and families who make up our community. Learn more about these important programs and how your contributions to the Foundation secure the AJGA’s financial future for future generations to come.

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Leadership Links

What is Leadership Links?

Leadership Links is a new program whereby the AJGA is able to further its mission to help develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the AJGA youth development programs. Please click here to learn more about the program and the different opportunities available.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and
development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.